On March 17, everyone is Irish, if only for the day. When St. Patrick’s Day rolls around in America, kindergartners search for leprechauns in the classroom, the Chicago River runs green and bars have to start turning people away. Now mostly celebrated as a secular holiday, St. Patrick’s Day is marked by parades, green food and parties; however, some Christians attend church on March 17.
Madison residents began the celebration with a bang of drums and the blare of trumpets at the annual Morris County St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Morristown on the 9th. The holiday continues with Bagel Chateau’s green bagels, sold for 90 cents apiece, and with the green bouquets and plants offered by Coviello’s Florists and Gifts. Poor Herbie’s is preparing a classic Irish dinner of corned beef brisket, with several sides, including carrots and red potatoes.
Celebrations in New York also include parades and bar crawls, although in a larger scale. The New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade has been tradition since 1762, and will take place on 5th Avenue and 44th Street the Saturday before St. Patrick’s Day due to religious reasons. The Celtic Tenors, an Irish singing group, will also be performing Saturday in the Bronx, with tickets ranging from $15 to $35. If you’d like to celebrate on the Sunday of St. Patrick’s Day, the Irish Arts Center is hosting the NYC Harp Orchestra as well as Irish language workshops.
http://madison.patch.com/articles/madison-restaurants-bars-celebrating-st-patricks-day
http://www.nycstpatricksparade.org/parade-information
http://www.lehmancenter.org/shows/75_Celtic.html
http://irishartscenter.org/kids/open_day_2013.html